Ohio Bill Mandates Natural Grass in Sports Stadiums

Ohio lawmakers are pushing for House Bill 605, which would mandate that professional sports teams in the state utilize playing surfaces composed of at least 90% natural grass. Sponsored by Republican Rodney Creech and Democrat Terrence Upchurch, the bill is aimed at enhancing player safety, as natural grass has been associated with fewer non-contact injuries compared to synthetic turf. The proposal comes in response to the Cincinnati Bengals' recent decision to install synthetic turf at Paycor Stadium, raising concerns among players and the NFL Players Association about injury risks. Despite its bipartisan support, the bill currently lacks penalties or deadlines for compliance. Advocates argue that this legislation could set a precedent for other states to follow suit in prioritizing athlete safety. The bill is set to be discussed further when lawmakers reconvene after the upcoming election.